Idaho schools examine factors behind low graduation rates

Earlier this year, the Department of Education released statistics revealing Idaho's graduation rates had dropped to 77.3 percent from 88 percent the previous year.

The investigation revealed that Idaho's online schools are Idaho's worst performers, with only 20 percent of the students who started out as freshman went on to graduate as seniors.

[...] the statistics don't reflect students who take extra time to graduate, says Kelly Edginton, Head of School for Idaho Virtual Academy.

According to school officials, most students who seek online or alternative schools are behind in their credits, have extremely low GPAs, come from impoverished backgrounds, or have special learning needs that make learning in the traditional classroom difficult.

Kim Zeydel, an award-winning math teacher and mentor at Meridian Academy, says only 67 percent of incoming freshman at her alternative schools are proficient in reading and 34 percent are proficient at math.

Dustin Barrett, the school's principal, said next year they will institute a new, mastery-based curriculum that blends online, self-motivated learning with teacher instruction.